March 21, 2002

NORTON, Mass. - A record 99 athletes earned Academic All-American status on Thursday from the U.S. Synchronized Swimming Collegiate Coaches Committee. UAB's Amanda Haeuser, Stacey Jackson, Stephanie Jackson and Kristen Kramer were among those honored today.

The honorees from 21 universities number nearly half the 203 entries in the U.S. Collegiate Synchronized Swimming Championships, which run today through Saturday at Balfour Natatorium on the campus of Wheaton College.

Athletes must earn at least a 3.25 grade point average (GPA) to be named an Academic All-American. The cumulative GPA of all competitors in the competition was a staggering 3.16.

The honor marked the second consecutive for Kramer, as she was also named a Collegiate Academic All-American in 2001.

UAB its making its third consecutive appearance at the Collegiate Championships and is coming off back to back fourth-place finishes at the event in 2000 and 2001.

More than 150 of the world's top athletes from 21 universities are swimming for bragging rights in the solo, duet, trio and team events. The championships are an open-class meet, combining competition for NCAA Divisions I, II and III, plus NAIA schools.

A complete list of Academic All-American honorees is available at www.usasynchro.org.